Main Menu

NOTE: You either have javascript disabled or have saved the page locally. Your experience may not be optimal due to these factors. Please consider enabling javascript or revisiting this page to get an optimal MCD experience. (Due to browser security settings, directly clicking the previous link may not work, so you may need to copy and paste the following link [http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/ncd-details.aspx?NCDId=50&ncdver=1&NCAId=160&NcaName=Bariatric+Surgery+for+the+Treatment+of+Morbid+Obesity+(1st+Recon)&bc=AiAAAAAAEAAA] into your browser.)

Note: This may not be an exhaustive list of all applicable Medicare benefit categories for this item or service.

Indications and Limitations of Coverage

The safety of intestinal bypass surgery for treatment of obesity has not been demonstrated. Severe adverse reactions such as steatorrhea, electrolyte depletion, liver failure, arthralgia, hypoplasia of bone marrow, and avitaminosis have sometimes occurred as a result of this procedure. It does not meet the reasonable and necessary provisions of §1862(a)(1) of the Act and is not a covered Medicare procedure.